CAHI to Testify Before Congress; Merrill Matthews, Mark Lithow to Discuss Small Business' Access to Affordable Health Insurance

7/11/2002

From: Tom Gardner of CAHI, 703-836-6200, ext. 386 Web Site: http://www.cahi.org

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 11 -- Earlier today Merrill Matthews, director of the Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI), and Mark Litow, also representing CAHI, testified before the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight, to inform House members of the challenges small businesses face when trying to cover employees' health insurance.

"Although well-intentioned state legislators have passed health care legislation that has wreaked havoc among the small businesses," stated Matthews. "The U.S. Congress needs to know what has and hasn't worked around the country. Most notably the guaranteed issue provision of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act has been a dismal failure."

While testifying before the Subcommittee of the Committee of Small Business, Matthews stated, "Guaranteed issue tries to force health insurers to cover sick people who could not otherwise buy a policy. However, only governments can and should provide social safety nets. They can do so by establishing high-risk pools -- public-private partnerships that provide an insurance safety net to the uninsurable at affordable prices."

To schedule an interview with Dr. Merrill Matthews or for a copy of his congressional testimony, contact Tom Gardner, director of communications at 703-836-6200, ext. 836.

------ CAHI is a research and advocacy association of insurance carriers active in the individual, small group, MSA, and senior markets. CAHI's membership includes more than 40 insurance companies, small businesses, physicians, actuaries, and insurance brokers. Since 1992, CAHI has been an advocate for market-oriented solutions such as MSAs to the problems in America's health care system.